Mechanistic study on the flotation of barite with C18H33NaO2 under microwave radiation based on UV-visible spectrophotometric analysis

Based on the pure mineral flotation tests of barite, this study investigated the effect law of microwave on barite flotation by using a UV-visible spectrophotometer (L5), solution chemistry calculation, and zeta potential, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and other testing methods. Additionally, red flotation kinetic analysis was carried out to deeply explore the mechanism of C18H33NaO2 flotation of barite under microwave radiation. Mineral flotation tests showed that after microwave treatment, the flotation recovery of barite and deionized water increased by 2.67% and 3.35%, respectively, while that of the microwave action pulp and chemically added pulp decreased by 2.90% and 8.51%, respectively. Microwave action on barite can improve its flotation recovery (up to 95.27%). The action of microwave heating can improve the positive electrical properties of the surface of barite, and accordingly, its specific surface area would be enlarged. In this case, the adsorption rate of sodium oleate on the surface of barite increased, thereby improving the flotation recovery. The flotation kinetics analysis revealed that the k-value of the primary kinetic model was the most informative among the four models of flotation kinetics, and its fitting results can truly reflect the flotation results of barite before and after the microwave action. Through the analysis of barite flotation adsorption experiment under microwave action and with sodium oleate as a collector, this study revealed the mechanism of C1818H33NaO2 on barite flotation under a microwave roaster. This study provides an important reference for the research on efficient barite flotation.